Tori Murden facts for kids

Victoria Murden McClure, born on March 6, 1963, is an amazing adventurer, athlete, and leader. She was the first woman and first American to row alone across the Atlantic Ocean in 1999. She also became the first woman and first American to ski all the way to the South Pole. Plus, she was the first woman to climb a special mountain called Lewis Nunatak in the Antarctic.

Early Life and Learning

Victoria Murden McClure was born on March 6, 1963, in Brooksville, Florida. As a child, she lived in Connecticut and Pennsylvania. When she was fifteen, she moved to Louisville, Kentucky. There, she attended the Louisville Collegiate School and finished in 1981.

She then went to Smith College and earned a degree in psychology in 1985. She continued her studies at Harvard Divinity School, finishing in 1989. Later, she earned a law degree from the University of Louisville School of Law in 1995. She also got a Master of Fine Arts degree in writing from Spalding University.

Rowing Across the Atlantic Ocean

When Victoria was 36 years old, she rowed solo across the Atlantic Ocean. This incredible journey took her eighty-one days. She traveled about 4,767 kilometers (2,962 miles). She started from the Canary Islands and finished in Guadeloupe on December 3, 1999.

Her boat was named Pearl. It was about seven meters (23 feet) long, 1.2 meters (4 feet) high, and 1.8 meters (6 feet) wide. The boat weighed around 816 kilograms (1,800 pounds). This was her second attempt to cross the ocean. Her first try in 1998 was cut short because of hurricane season.

Victoria wrote a book about her adventure called A Pearl in the Storm: How I Found My Heart in the Middle of the Ocean. It was published in 2009.

Adventures in the Antarctic

Victoria Murden McClure is also famous for her journey across the South Pole. She skied about 700 miles (1,126 kilometers) to reach the geographic South Pole. She was the first woman to achieve this. She was also the first woman to climb the Lewis Nunatak, a mountain in the Antarctic.

Other Important Work

McClure has had many different jobs. She worked as a chaplain at Boston City Hospital, helping people. She was also the leader of a shelter for women who did not have homes. She worked as a public policy analyst for the Mayor of Louisville. She even worked for the famous boxer and humanitarian Muhammad Ali.

On June 1, 2010, she became the president of Spalding University. This is a private Catholic university in Louisville, Kentucky. She retired from this role in 2024.

She also led the Board of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). NOLS is a school in Lander, Wyoming, that teaches people about outdoor education. It focuses on respecting nature and going on wilderness trips.

Awards and Recognitions

Victoria Murden McClure has received many honors for her amazing achievements:

• 1988 – She was the first woman and first American to reach the top of the Lewis Nunatak in the Antarctic.
• 1989 – She was the first woman and first American to ski to the geographic South Pole.
• 1989 – She was named a Hopkins Scholar at Harvard University.
• 1999 – She was the first woman and first American to row across the Atlantic Ocean.
• 1999 – She received the Silver Horse Shoe Award from the Kentucky Derby Festival. This award is for courage, determination, and helping the community.
• 2000 – She received a special Victor Award. This award is given to outstanding athletes each year.
• 2000 – She received the Peter Bird Trophy for Tenacity and Perseverance from the Ocean Rowing Society International.
• 2000 – She was honored by the European Academy of Sport.